Blueberry plant named ‘Ridley 4408’

ABSTRACT

The new blueberry plant variety ‘RIDLEY 4408’ is provided. The variety is produced from a cross of ‘S01-15-01’ (unpatented) and ‘C00-09’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,778), which can be distinguished by its outstanding features.

Latin name of the genus, and species:

Genus—Vaccinium.

Species—hybrid.

Variety denomination: The new blueberry plant claimed is of the varietydenominated ‘RIDLEY 4408’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety ofVaccinium hybrid (Southern Highbush Blueberry), which has been given thevariety denomination of ‘Ridley 4408’. Its market class is that of afruiting plant. ‘Ridley 4408’ is intended for use as fresh fruit forshipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home gardenplant.

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting fromseedlings produced in a breeding programme of Vaccinium at Lindendale,NSW, Australia in August 2009 from the controlled pollination of seedparent ‘S01-15-01’ (unpatented) with pollen parent ‘C00-09’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 22,778). The new cultivar was discovered and selected as asingle plant, breeder code M11-44-08, within a population of 100resulting Vaccinium hybrid plants from this controlled pollination inSeptember 2011 in a commercial field plantation environment atLindendale, New South Wales, Australia. It was monitored over the nextthree years with five inspections per year to confirm consistency oftraits. Selection criteria were, in combination, suitability to machineharvesting of fresh fruit characterized by firm, round to slightlyoblate shaped fruit that drop easily from the bush when shaken leavingthe unripe fruit on the bush, medium plant growth vigor, low chillingrequirement, early to medium time of flowering and fruit ripening,medium fruit size, medium to high yield, desirable tasting berries andsmall picking scar.

The selection was evaluated for a number of years at commercial farms atLindendale, New South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cutting propagation since2011 at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia has demonstrated that thenew cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection, breeder codeM11-44-08, resulting from seedlings produced in a breeding programme ofVaccinium at Lindendale, NSW, Australia in August 2009 from thecontrolled pollination of seed parent ‘S01-15-01’ (unpatented) withpollen parent ‘C00-09’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,778).

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the seed parent‘S01-15-01’ primarily in medium plant growth vigor, firm, crisp fruitwith a pleasant and strong sweet acid balanced flavour whereas the seedparent has weak plant growth vigor with spindly branches, less firmfruit with an acidic unpleasant flavour. Plants of the new cultivardiffer from plants of the pollen parent ‘C00-09’ primarily in mediumplant growth vigor, early to medium time of vegetative bud burst, earlyto medium time of first flowering, early to medium time of first fruitripening, medium fruit size and round to slightly oblate fruit shapewhereas the pollen parent has strong plant growth vigor, late time ofvegetative bud burst, late time of first flowering, late time of firstfruit ripening, very large fruit size and oblate fruit shape.

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedlyobserved and can be used to distinguish ‘RIDLEY 4408’ as a new anddistinct cultivar of Vaccinium hybrid plant:

-   -   1. Upright to semi upright and bushy plant growth habit    -   2. Early to medium timing of beginning of flowering    -   3. Early to medium timing of berry ripening    -   4. Medium plant growth vigor    -   5. Berry is firm and crisp    -   6. Picking scar is dry    -   7. Leaf width is broad    -   8. Berry size is medium    -   9. Berry sweetness and acidity are high making desirable flavor    -   10. Bloom on berry is strong    -   11. Dark blue berry color

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the seed parent‘S01-15-01’ primarily in medium plant growth vigor, firm, crisp fruitwith a pleasant and strong sweet acid balanced flavour whereas the seedparent has weak plant growth vigor with spindly branches, less firmfruit with an acidic unpleasant flavour. Plants of the new cultivardiffer from plants of the pollen parent ‘C00-09’ primarily in mediumplant growth vigor, early to medium time of vegetative bud burst, earlyto medium time of first flowering, early to medium time of first fruitripening, medium fruit size and round to slightly oblate fruit shapewhereas the pollen parent has strong plant growth vigor, late time ofvegetative bud burst, late time of first flowering, late time of firstfruit ripening, very large fruit size and oblate fruit shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens infull color of the foliage and fruit in a 4 year old plant of the newvariety ‘Ridley 4408’. The colors are as nearly true as is reasonablypossible in a color representation of this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘Ridley 4408’, demonstratingthe plant's growth habit and fruit set.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the flowering plant of the new variety ‘Ridley4408’.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the leaves of the new variety ‘Ridley 4408’.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of the flower, leaf and fruit of the new variety‘Ridley 4408’.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of the inflorescence and flower of the newvariety ‘Ridley 4408’.

FIG. 6 is a photograph of the fruit detail of the new variety ‘Ridley4408’.

FIG. 7 is a photograph of the packaged fruit of the new variety ‘Ridley4408’.

The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with thephotographic and printing technology utilized. The color values cited inthe detailed botanical description accurately describe the colors of thenew blueberry.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘Ridley 4408’. The data that define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions of theoriginal selection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristicsare approximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. Theplant history was taken on plants approximately 4 years of age, and thedescriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Tabulam, New SouthWales, Australia. Descriptions of fruit characteristics were made onfruit grown in Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia. Color designationsare from Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia. Color notations are basedon The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, of The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 2007 edition.

-   Classification:    -   -   a. Family.—Ericaceae.        -   b. Genus.—Vaccinium.        -   c. Species.—hybrid.        -   d. Common name.—Southern Highbush Blueberry.-   Parentage:    -   -   a. Female parent.—‘S01-15-01’ (unpatented).        -   b. Male parent.—‘C00-09’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,778).        -   c. Market class.—A fruiting plant intended for use as fresh            fruit for shipping, customer pick and processing markets and            as a home garden plant.

PLANT

-   General:    -   -   a. Parentage.—Female Parent — ‘S01-15-01.’ (unpatented).            Male Parent — ‘C00-09’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,778).        -   b. Plant height.—1.5 m.        -   c. Plant width.—1.2 m.        -   d. Growth habit.—Upright to semi-upright.        -   e. Growth.—Medium vigor.        -   f. Productivity.—Greater than 5 kg per season from 3-4 year            old plants planted at 3.0 m×0.9 m density.        -   g. Cold hardiness.—Has not been grown in all environments            including harsh winter environments.        -   h. Cold tolerance.—Cold tolerance is expected to be low.        -   i. Chilling requirement.—Has not been grown in all            environments and is typically grown as an evergreen crop            where chilling hours are not important. ‘Ridley 4408’ is            classed as ‘low chill’, typical of Southern Highbush            Blueberry varieties with an estimated chilling requirement            of 200 hours (not tested).        -   j. Tolerance to disease.—Moderate resistance to root disease            (Phytophthora spp) and good resistance to blueberry rust.        -   k. Leafing.—Vegetative bud burst is early to medium (late            August to early September) when grown as an evergreen in            Australia.        -   l. Twigginess.—Low.

STEM

-   General:    -   -   a. Suckering tendency.—Low. Plants typically have 5-7 major            canes per plant from a base 25 cm in diameter on 4 year old            plants.        -   b. Mature cane color.—Color greyed orange 198C.        -   c. Mature cane length.—0.8-0.9 m.        -   d. Mature cane width.—1.2 cm.        -   e. Bark texture.—Medium roughness (typical of species).        -   f. Fall color on new shoots.—Olive green (approximately            yellow green RHS 146A-B) Colors are variable subject to            conditions of environment and culture.        -   g. Surface texture of new wood.—Smooth.        -   h. Internode length on strong, new shoots.—15-20 mm.        -   i. Fruiting wood.—To 15 cm in length.

FOLIAGE

-   General:    -   -   a. Time of beginning of leaf bud burst.—Early to medium            (late August to early September) at Lindendale, NSW            Australia.        -   b. Leaf color (top side).—Yellow green 147A.        -   c. Leaf color (under side).—Yellow green 147C.        -   d. Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.        -   e. Leaf shape.—Elliptic.        -   f. Leaf margins.—Entire.        -   g. Undulation of margin.—Weak.        -   h. Leaf venation.—Reticulate.        -   i. Leaf apices.—Acuminate.        -   j. Leaf bases.—Obtuse.        -   k. Leaf length.—55-72 mm.        -   l. Leaf width.—27-41 mm.        -   m. Leaf length/width ratio.—Medium (approximately 1).        -   n. Leaf nectaries.—Absent.        -   o. Pubescence of upper side.—Absent to very weak.        -   p. Pubescence of lower side.—Absent.        -   q. Cross sectional profile.—Flat to very weakly concave.        -   r. Longitudinal profile.—Straight.        -   s. Attitude.—Semi-upright to horizontal.-   Petioles:    -   -   a. Length.—1.0 to 3.0 mm.        -   b. Width.—2.0 mm.        -   c. Color.—Yellow green 146C-147C.

FLOWERS

-   General:    -   -   a. Time of beginning of flowering.—Early to medium (mid May            to early July at Lindendale, NSW Australia).        -   b. Time of 50% anthesis.—Mid June at Lindendale, NSW            Australia.        -   c. Flower shape.—Urceolate.        -   d. Flower bud density.—Strong density.        -   e. Flower fragrance.—Weak.-   Corolla:    -   -   a. Color.—White NN155D.        -   b. Length.—10-12 mm.        -   c. Width.—7-8 mm.        -   d. Aperture width.—2-3 mm.        -   e. Anthocyanin coloration of corolla.—Absent.        -   f. Corolla ridges.—Present.        -   g. Protrusion of stigma.—Frequently present.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   a. Length.—35 to 45 mm.        -   b. Diameter.—25 to 28 mm.        -   c. Length of peduncle.—25-30 mm.        -   d. Surface texture of peduncle.—Smooth.        -   e. Color of peduncle.—146C.        -   f. Length of pedicel.—8-12 mm.        -   g. Surface texture of pedicel.—Smooth.        -   h. Color of pedicel.—147C.        -   i. Number of flowers per cluster.—10-14.        -   j. Flower cluster density.—Strong.-   Calyx (with sepals):    -   -   a. Diameter.—9-12 mm.        -   b. Color (sepals).—Green 138C to yellow green 147C.-   Stamen:    -   -   a. Length.—4-5 mm.        -   b. Number per flower.—Approximately 10.        -   c. Filament color.—Yellow green 144D.-   Pistil:    -   -   a. Length.—10.4 mm.        -   b. Style.—Length — 5-6 mm.        -   c. Ovary color (exterior).—Yellow green 144D-147C.-   Anther:    -   -   a. Length.—3.0-3.5 mm.        -   b. Number.—Approximately 10.        -   c. Color.—Grayed orange 167C-D.-   Pollen:    -   -   a. Abundance.—Medium.        -   b. Color.—Grayed orange 167C-D.        -   c. Self-compatibility.—90% fruit set (considered            self-compatible).

FRUIT

-   General:    -   -   a. Time of fruit ripening.—Early to medium (mid August to            mid October at Lindendale, NSW Australia).        -   b. Time of 50% maturity.—Mid-late September.        -   c. Fruit development period.—55 days.        -   d. Cluster density.—Medium to dense, 7-9 berries per            cluster.        -   e. Unripe fruit color.—Green 138A.        -   f. Ripe berry color.—Black 202A.        -   g. Berry surface wax abundance.—Strong.        -   h. Berry flesh color.—Grayed green 194A-195A.        -   i. Berry weight.—2.7-3.0 g.        -   j. Berry height from calyx to scar.—13-15 mm.        -   k. Berry diameter.—18 mm.        -   l. Berry shape.—Round with occasional slight oblate.        -   m. Fruit stem scar.—Small (dry).        -   n. Sweetness when ripe.—High (approximately 16-18% Brix).        -   o. Firmness when ripe.—Firm.        -   p. Acidity when ripe.—High (similar to ‘Ridley 1202’ (not            patented) and ‘Camellia’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,151) and            higher than ‘Ridley 1111’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,572).        -   q. Storage quality.—Good, lasted 10 weeks at 2 degrees            Celsius in tests. Not tested with modified atmosphere            storage yet.        -   r. Suitability for mechanical harvesting.—Firm fruit            firmness, good ease of detachment by shaking, strong blush            and fruit shape suited to mechanical harvesting.        -   s. Self-fruitfulness.—90% fruit set (considered            self-compatible).        -   t. Uses.—Fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and            processing markets and as a home garden plant.

SEED

-   General:    -   -   a. Seed abundance in fruit.—Abundant.        -   b. Seed color.—Greyed orange 174B.        -   c. Seed dry weight.—About 65 seeds/1 mg.        -   d. Seed length.—1.6-1.8 mm.

COMPARISON BETWEEN POLLEN PARENT AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

TABLE 1 Comparison between pollen parent and commercial cultivars Ridley4609 (U.S. Application No. Organ Context Ridley 4408 14/999,949) Plantvigour medium medium Plant growth habit Upright to Upright to semiupright semi upright One-year- colour green green old shoot One-year-length of medium medium old shoot internode Leaf length long medium tolong Leaf width broad broad Leaf shape elliptic elliptic Leaf colour ofgreen green upper side Leaf intensity of medium medium green colour onupper side Leaf margin entire entire Flower bud anthocyanin weak weakcoloration Flower shape of urceolate urceolate corolla Flower size ofmedium medium corolla tube Flower anthocyanin absent or absent orcolouration very weak very weak of corolla tube Flower ridges on presentpresent corolla tube Fruit cluster density medium to medium dense Unripefruit intensity of light light green colour Fruit size medium mediumFruit shape in round oblate longitudinal section Fruit attitude of erecterect sepals Fruit diameter of large large calyx basin Fruit depth ofdeep deep calyx basin Fruit intensity of strong weak to bloom mediumFruit colour of dark blue dark blue skin Fruit firmness firm firm Fruitsweetness high medium to high Fruit acidity high medium to high Time ofvegetative early to medium late bud burst Time of beginning of early tomedium late flowering Time of beginning of early to medium late fruitripening Ridley Ridley 1403 C00-09 1812 (U.S. Plant (U.S. Plant (notPat. No. Pat. No. Organ Context patented) 25,432) 22,778) Plant vigourmedium strong strong Plant growth habit upright upright to upright tosemi-upright semi-upright One-year- colour green green green old shootOne-year- length of medium medium medium old shoot internode Leaf lengthlong to very long to very long long long Leaf width broad broad broadLeaf shape elliptic elliptic elliptic Leaf colour of green green greenupper side Leaf intensity of medium medium dark green colour on upperside Leaf margin entire entire entire Flower bud anthocyanin weak weakweak coloration Flower shape of urceolate urceolate urceolate corollaFlower size of medium medium to medium to corolla tube large largeFlower anthocyanin absent or absent or absent or colouration very weakvery weak very weak of corolla tube Flower ridges on present presentpresent corolla tube Fruit cluster density medium medium to medium denseUnripe fruit intensity of light light light green colour Fruit size verylarge very large very large Fruit shape in oblate round oblatelongitudinal section Fruit attitude of erect erect erect sepals Fruitdiameter of large to very large large calyx basin large Fruit depth ofdeep to very deep deep calyx basin deep Fruit intensity of weak tomedium medium to bloom medium strong Fruit colour of dark blue dark bluedark blue skin Fruit firmness medium medium very firm Fruit sweetnessmedium to low to high high medium Fruit acidity medium to medium to lowhigh high Time of vegetative medium early to late bud burst medium Timeof beginning of late very early late flowering Time of beginning of lateearly to late fruit medium ripening

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of blueberryplant named ‘RIDLEY 4408’, substantially as illustrated and describedherein.